Right thing Quote by Josephine Tey
““This is nice,” she said. “They’re not very high, but I hate walking in them.” “What are?” “My shoes.” She held up a foot and exhibited her very modest Cuban heel. “Nannie thinks they are the right thing to wear in town, but I feel dreadful in them. Teetery.” “I expect one gets used to them in time. One must conform to the taboos of the tribe.” “Why must one?” “Because an unquiet life is a greater misery than wearing the badge of conformity.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man in the Brown Suit by Josephine Tey, 1921
The speaker resists social pressure to conform to uncomfortable norms, valuing personal comfort over collective expectations.
In simple terms: Resisting pressure to fit in when it feels wrong.
Key Takeaway
Choose comfort over forced conformity.
Themes
conformity
comfort
individualism
social pressure
identity
Mood
uneasy
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- fashion choices
- workplace dress codes
- cultural rituals
- peer pressure
Key Concepts
social norms
personal autonomy
psychological discomfort
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you sacrifice comfort for acceptance?
- When is it worth challenging a norm?
A Different Perspective
Conformity can provide social acceptance but may cause personal misery.
